Attention, we have a logjam in lane four

Sheridan Harris

Eyes might have been firmly on what could be argued as the round of the season in the AFL, but Division 3 Men’s VAFA footy continues to heat up. Four wins separate the top three from the rest of the competition, while percentage is all that stands between fourth and seventh, meaning that for many teams, finals are still on the horizon, even if for some they’re more of a mirage. 

It appears that Canterbury are peaking at the exact right time, collecting scalps on their way to a finals berth, while Elsternwick have hit a roadblock, with back-to-back losses after starting the season unbeaten. South Melbourne Districts still remain at the top though with only one loss for the year so far. 

A low-scoring affair between Emmaus St Leo’s and Parkside at Bennettswood Reserve has seen the away side take the win by just three points. The game was mostly on the Red Devils’ terms for the first half, though there seemed to be little reward for effort on the scoreboard for both sides. The Animals were down by five goals at the beginning of the final quarter, but quickly made them back, only to fall just short of the victory after some missed opportunities. Dan Hill (3), Jonathan Greensides and Zac Kearns were the home side’s only goal scorers as Leiwyn Jones took top honours. For Parkside, all six of their goals came from individual kickers, with Jackson Hubbard, Benedict Douglas, Simon Mackie, Shane Doherty, Ian Romano, and Matthew Soligo all on the board. Michael Romano was best on. 

Canterbury’s fast starts have continued, this time putting Elsternwick to the sword by 32 points at Holmes Todd Oval. A ten-goal-to-four first half set the scene for another Cobras win, with the Wickers seeming unable to stem the tide against a fast-moving opposition kicking accurately on the scoreboard. Not even a late, seven-goal final term could get the home side over the line. Thomas Lowden (7) once again starred in front of goal to be Canterbury’s best player, while Jordan Dear (5) and Ryan Murray (3) rode shotgun in the forward line. Elsternwick’s spread of eight individual goalkickers had Peter Cassidy kicking three to take top honours, while Daniel Marchese and Dylan Jones both snagged to each of their own. 

The Westbourne Grammarians have suffered another large loss at Westbourne Grammar, with a slow-starting South Melbourne Districts getting the win by 144 points. The Warriors were close early and only down by an assailable 22 points at the first break, before the Bloods put their foot down to kick six goals in the second term and all but seal the deal. After the main break, the away side put their foot down, kicking 16.3 for the last half, while the home side will rue missed goal opportunities. South Melbourne Districts had seven multiple-goalscorers, with Oliver Dufficy (6), Leigh Sfetkidis (4), Samuel McGinn (4), Jamie Brooker (3), Matthew Morrison (3), Michael Dufficy (2), and Ryan McKenzie (2) all scoring in a big way, while Michael Pandolfo’s efforts were recognised as best on. For the Westbourne Grammarians, Benjamin Hodge and Ali Eqbal were their only goal kickers and Cooper Read their best player. 

Seven individual goal kickers has seen Hawthorn beat Richmond Central by 43 points at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. The Snakes were on the back foot early as the Hawks piled on six goals in the first time, before they mounted a slight comeback to be only 28 points down at half time. But it wasn’t to be, with a low-scoring second half that saw the away side limit their opposition to just two goals, while kicking only four themselves. William Meehan (4) and Charlie Lee (2) were stellar in front of goal, but it was Aaron Downie’s two majors that earned him best-on honours. For the home side, Daniel Martin, Alexander Benson, Jack Hartley, and Dane Roy kicked a goal each, and Dylan Curnow (1) was their best. 

After a week off, North Brunswick return to Allard Park and will be met with a challenging Canterbury side fresh off a galvanising away win. The Cobras are almost unbeatable at this stage of the season and the Bulls will need everything they’ve got. 

A tough battle awaits Richmond Central, who travel to face an in-form South Melbourne Districts at Lindsay Hassett Oval. With finals still in the equation, the Snakes would love to cause an upset to get back on the winner’s list. 

Pitcher Park is the destination for Elsternwick this weekend as they’re welcomed by Parkside. It’s been an interesting couple of weeks for the Wickers, while the Red Devils will likely still be riding high on the adrenaline of a thriller win in round eleven. 

The Westbourne Grammarians will travel to Rathmines Road Reserve to take on Hawthorn. Both sides are looking to get back onto the winner’s list, with the Hawks still holding onto a very slim finals chance. 

A well-timed bye for Emmaus St Leo’s sees them with the week off to get ready to attack the latter half of the season, and with their hold on the top four seemingly slipping through their hands, there is much work to be done.